In the 2010-2014 period, I’ve had the chance and the privilege to represent the students’ and academic community in a number of expert bodies, platforms and collaborative governance forums, in the legislative (Consultative Councilon European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds, 41st National Assembly Parliamentary Committee), executive (Council on Oversight of the National Students’ Loan Policy, Ministry of Education and Science) and local self-government sector (Expert Council on Science, Technology & Innovation, Sofia Municipality).

In addition, representing the National Students’ Union, I was able to work on a number of policy documents and legislative proposals, some of which successfully implemented in Bulgarian higher education system.

But the development of the National Investment Programme on Science and Education for Smart Growth 2014-2020, co-funded by the EU Cohesion Policy, is probably the key public initiative, I’ve dedicated my time and efforts to, being part of the thematic expert group, developing the financial instrument for over a few years.

With over € 700 million of funding, the new operational program is expected to be an important contribution to reviving the de-capitalised Bulgarian science, and education, which were both left behind in the 2007 – 2013 programming period and are still far away from the 2020 goals, set for Bulgaria to achieve, as part of the EU 2020 strategy.

In the following video interview from January 2015, I spoke in front of Investbook TV Programme, analysing the progress made so far, and the key developments as of 2015 – the year when the programme funding will be launched.

The interview is in Bulgarian, but a detailed resume of the investment/operational programme can be found on EC ERAWATCH platform.